Mini Stocks

Winners Photos, October 1, 2011

Race Photos, October 1, 2011

Fito Gallardo of Las Cruces, N.M. moved up from a 3rd row start to take the win in the 35 lap feature at Aztec Speedway Saturday night. The race was scheduled for 40 laps but was shortened by 5 laps due to several caution periods and one red flag.

When the green flag fell, Bob Harter took the lead for one lap until Mark Rodgers moved his #07 to the front. Rodgers lead was short lived as JJ Harpole took over on lap 4. The race was shaping up for some heavy action up front as the 2011 track champion, Porter Smith, flew by on the cushion to claim the front spot. Along with Smith came the G17 of Gallardo. Smith lead for the next 15 laps with Gallardo glued to his bumper. Gallardo’s chance to pass Smith came on the front stretch as the two started lapping the field. Smith slid up into Robert Ortega on the front stretch and broke an a-arm in the process. Smith lost the lead but kept his foot in it. As he entered turn 3, the car turned a sharp right and went headon into the wall. Smith was ok but the car was done. When racing resumed Gallardo had glimpses of momentary challenges from Garrett Higgins and Danny Bradford. As the laps wound down Zane Devilbiss started working his Pink Panther #18z closer to the front. Devilbiss moved past Bradford and Higgins and was about 4 car lengths behind Gallardo as the white flag came out. Devilbiss went low into 3 to get side by side with Gallardo but the momentum wouldn’t hold on the bottom line and Fito Gallardo came out of turn 4 in front and won by a car length. In a post race chat, Devilbiss expressed his disgust with the decision to shorten the race by 5 laps. He had set up for a 40 lapper and it appeared that his game plan was coming to fruition until the race was shortened. Gallardo was quite happy with the win as that makes his record at Aztec Speedway perfect….three times here and three wins. Following these two to the checkers were, Garrett Higgins for 3rd, Danny Bradford 4th and Kevin Brown 5th. Sixth through 10th were, Josh Cain, Kevin Faddis, Allen Bradley, Mark Rodgers and Doug Goodenough. The rest of the 25 car field were: Tom Cadle, Todd Budlong, Michael Higgins, Clint Miller, Julian Garcia,jr., Robert Ortega, Johnny Guitterez, JJ Harpole, Porter Smith, Tyrone Yazzie, Bob Harter, Michael Ford, Andy Goodenough, Robert Reed and David Davis. Garrett Higgins garnered the hard charger award coming up from the 11th starting spot. Schaffer’s oil presented Higgins with a case of racing oil.

The hobby feature was an open invitation for hobby cars all over the state. Several cars came up form the Albuquerque and Grants areas. Sixteen cars took the green with the track champion lined up in the 18th starting spot. After a few yellows, the hobbys settled down for some competitive racing. Randy Dorsett put his pink #13 in front quickly and never looked back as he collected the win. Dorsett repainted his car pink for Cancer Awareness week and very fittingly raced to the win. A close 2nd went to Amador Milliano and the hard charging Dennis Spencer came from the that 18th starting spot to finish 3rd. Darrell Cordary was 4th with Camron Martin 5th. Finishing out the top ten were, Jerret Guillory, Julius Billy, Gary Guinn, Jessie Asbe, Tommy Valdez, and Jeremy Bradley. Results are unofficial as the Kevin Chavez car is not shown in the finishing order. Chavez won the “suitcase” race at intermission.

The stock car feature saw only 14 cars take the green as several of the top runners sat out the final non points race of the season.

Lee Moss put the #88 into victory lane once again. Moss, driving with his usual smooth style won this one handily over Travis Southerlin. In 3rd was Jay Kible, Shane Devilbiss 4th and Kathy Farley 5th. This also is unofficial standings from 2nd on down.

The Southern sport modified feature brought out a short field with many cars being driven substitute drivers. One of those ‘subs’ put his car into the winner’s circle. Tony Hill, driving Dakota Kibel’s #89, took the lead midway through the 20 lap race and held on to win his first race this season at Aztec. Hill has been running a stock car all this season so it’s a bit ironic that he wins the last race of the year in a sport modified. Following Hill with a great run was Tre Harpole and Ace Eavenson in 3rd. Fourth went to Kristi Tenski (racing for her dad) and in fifth was Brandon Tenski. Dennis Spencer tried his hand in a sport modified and finished 6th. Seventh went to Killian Carey followed by Michelle Reed, Bill Dowdy, Ryan Henley, and Dakota Mcadam.

The mini stocks may have taken their final curtain call as TJ Morrow won over one other car.

The last night of racing for 2011 at Aztec Speedway saw a large crowd on hand to enjoy the racing and support Cancer Awareness. A percentage of the gate will be presented to San Juan Medical Foundation. Also money donated by the fans in various ways at the track will also be donated. And money was also raised by way of T-shirt sales by the Faddis family, Spencer racing, Zane Devilbiss racing, and bracelet sales. Thanks to all of these generous folks for their participation.

In a separate fund raiser, money was raised by way of a raffle for an elk hunt on private land. Tickets had been sold for the last few weeks to raise money for the racing family of Kevin and Juanita Faddis as their home was destroyed in a fire a few weeks ago. The winner was announced at the end of the modified feature with Fito Gallardo drawing the name of fellow racer, Regan Tafoya.

The staff of Aztec Speedway would like to thank the race teams and fans for supporting the speedway this year. We hope to see all of you back here next season along with many more participants and fans.